There are new developments regarding the not-yet-open Southeast Portland grocery store that ignited a citywide debate because of the owner's views on gay rights.

A YouTube video that first detailed seemingly anti-gay Facebook posts by Chauncy Childs, owner of Moreland Farmers Pantry, has been taken down by the Sellwood resident who first put it up.

In a Saturday email to The Oregonian, Sean O'Riordan said he was the one who posted the video that was highly critical of Childs and her views. The video, and subsequent news coverage, prompted a storm of protest and calls for boycotting the natural food store.

It also prompted an intense discussion over the rights -- and wisdom --of business owners to express their personal views and how consumers should respond.

O'Riordan says he has since met with John Childs, Chauncy's husband, and found him "to be a man who is sincere in his beliefs and passionate in discussion." John Childs assured O'Riordan that the store would never discriminate against gays – a pledge Chauncy Childs also made in an interview with The Oregonian.

O'Riordan also confirmed that the Childs had made a donation to the Equity Foundation, a Portland LGBTQ group. And he shared a contrite email that John Childs sent, which is reprinted below.

Sean,

Thank you for taking the time today to speak with me about the Facebook posts. As I mentioned in our conversation, neither Chauncy nor I have a discriminatory bone in our bodies. We abhor discrimination in any form. But what we abhor more than that is anyone imposing their will on someone else even when they are in the right.

I believe our post said that "of course a business can discriminate against gay people". I apologize, we probably could have chosen a better subject to express the view that we should not restrict anyone's right to free speech and expression, even when we disagree with them. Other businesses and people can discriminate as much as they want, but to their detriment. Our business does not and will not discriminate.

We understand how this post could have been interpreted as anti-gay but I assure you that was not our intention in the least.

Thank you again for your understanding ear.

John Childs

Moreland Farmers

Although O'Riordan agreed to take down his YouTube video, he nonetheless suggested he won't do business at the Childs' Milwaukie Avenue store, which is scheduled to open this month.

" In a healthy, open society people are free to not want to patronize any business that does not fit their value system, and they are free to try to persuade other people to do the same," he wrote. "While I wish John well, I will continue to shop with businesses that align with my values."